How does Allison Park's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Allison Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Allison Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

134.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Allison Park, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Allison Park	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Allison Park compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Allison Park, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	≈ 60–120 mg/L	18 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	river
Franklin Park, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Allison Park compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Allison Park	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Allison Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 134.7 mg/LpH: 7.5

Hampton Shaler Water Authority (HSWA) provides drinking water to Allison Park and surrounding areas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 58,149 residents. The utility sources its supply from purchased surface water rather than operating its own treatment plants, relying on regional water infrastructure across the Allegheny County watershed system. HSWA is headquartered at 101 McCully Road, Allison Park, PA 15101, and can be reached at 412-486-4867 or info@hswa-pa.org.

The Allegheny County region overlies Pennsylvanian-age sedimentary rocks and glacial deposits characteristic of western Pennsylvania. These formations contribute dissolved minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium carbonates—that result in a moderately hard water supply. The purchased surface water model means HSWA relies on regional infrastructure rather than local groundwater or dedicated reservoirs, and the hardness reflects the broader watershed geology of western Pennsylvania.

At moderately hard levels, residents may notice mineral buildup on faucets, fixtures, and appliances such as water heaters and dishwashers over time. This hardness can reduce appliance efficiency and increase maintenance needs, though it poses no health concern. Regular descaling of fixtures is advisable, and a water softener may benefit households with high water use or sensitive appliances. Available data notes contaminants including NDMA, dichlorofluoromethane, copper, and phenanthrene; residents should consult the most recent Consumer Confidence Report from Hampton Shaler Water Authority for full details.

Geology & Source: Pennsylvanian-age sedimentary rocks and glacial deposits, western Pennsylvania; calcium and magnesium carbonates from purchased surface water yield moderately hard supply

Other Pennsylvania Water Reports

Pittsburgh

≈ 60–120 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Franklin Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Penn Hills

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Wilkinsburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allison Park's water safe to drink?

Yes. Allison Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Allison Park?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Allison Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Allison Park compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Allison Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Allison Park is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.